Rotary electroadhesive clutch

Abstract

An electroadhesive clutch using a ceramic-based dielectric layer separating opposing clutch plates, which function as electrodes. At least one of the clutch plates can be a flexible material, such as a thin film. A voltage applied across the electrodes creates an electrostatic attraction between the electrodes. The ceramic-based dielectric layer can be applied to one or both electrodes or, alternatively, placed between opposing electrodes. The ceramic-based dielectric reduces the voltage required to adhere adjacent plates, while also improving the force of adhesion. A rotary electroadhesive clutch using the ceramic-based dielectric provides improved force of adhesion and can be used to control the amount of torque transferred from an input to an output.

1 . An electroadhesive clutch comprising:
 a plurality of clutch plates arranged along a common axis,
 wherein each clutch plate comprises and electrically conductive electrode surface parallel to a surface of an adjacent clutch plate, 
 wherein at least one electrically conductive electrode surface of the plurality of surfaces is flexible; 
   a dielectric material separating adjacent clutch plates; and   a voltage source creating a voltage differential between at least one pair of adjacent clutch plates.   
     
     
         2 . The electroadhesive clutch of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clutch plates rotate about the common axis. 
     
     
         3 . The electroadhesive clutch of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an output shaft positioned on the common axis adapted to rotate relative to a portion of the plurality of clutch plates.   
     
     
         4 . The electroadhesive clutch of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a frame adapted to transmit a torque from the flexible surface to the output shaft.   
     
     
         5 . The electroadhesive clutch of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a housing, wherein a torque is transmitted from the output shaft through a first set of clutch plates attached to the output shaft through a second set of clutch plates attached to the housing.